All About GEP
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Just got notification on PG. Dd got selected for round 2.
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Haha I am neither anxious nor hopeful. If my DD3 is really talented, she will get into GEP without any classes. If she is not "that" talented, ( like her two elder sisters- both cleared round one but not round two), then I am perfectly happy for her to remain in mainstream. All need to take the same PSLE anyway.
Real life story - friend’s DS went into GEP after some prep course. The boy is smart, but not "that" smart. Apparently there is very little PSLE drilling for the GEP students, but lots of project work. (not sure how true these claims are, but this was what my friend told me. But that make sense to me- the real smart kids should not need the drilling. ). He did not qualify for IP/IB with his PSLE results eventually. My friend was devastated.
( but actually that’s also not the end of the world. Every year only about 10% of student qualify for IP/IB. Some IP/IB schools also admit student at year 3. OK that’s going too off -topic already…) -
Here's my personal opinion.
Kids of wealthier parents will always have more resources, be it more classes or even just more books at home.
It will never be an even playing field. The best that you can do is to level it out somehow.
You are right that GEP kids who face difficulties in the GEP are those who crammed for it. Many of them are migrant Chinese or locals sold into marketing by some big centers. You have to understand that their culture, and aspirations compel them to go to extreme lengths to secure a 'top school' for their kids. The locals are just there naively, waiting for their places to be eaten up.
The vast majority of GEP kids, however, do not face issues with their school work. I always find it funny that there are classes for GEP kids to do their 'Sandwich ERP' or CA1 etc.
Now, for a child who is at the borderline level, I would say that the privilege and advantages of getting into the GEP greatly outweigh the negative (cannot catch up, adjustment issues etc). Very often, it may not be that a child is not talented, but that he/she simply hasn't awaken or met a mentor yet. Let me use a sports analogy. Say that someone is really talented at sports, swimming, etc, and has the perfect body shape, etc etc. Will he win an Olympic Gold medal out of raw talent, with zero training? Obviously no right?
So the idea that one can try for the GEP with zero preparation is naive. Your child may be able to solve the question out of raw talent, but the other kids have seen the question many times before! Your child will be stunned for a while and that's it - out of time.
I don't think parents here are really upset about not getting into round 2, etc. After all, 90% of those who got in Round 2 will be rejected! If you don't get in, it will still be a great learning experience?
One is bound to fail at some points in life. The question is if you can bounce back from failures and if you even put in effort in the first place.kab\" post_id=\"2084857\" time=\"1664966550\" user_id=\"7705:
Haha I am neither anxious nor hopeful. If my DD3 is really talented, she will get into GEP without any classes. If she is not \"that\" talented, ( like her two elder sisters- both cleared round one but not round two), then I am perfectly happy for her to remain in mainstream. All need to take the same PSLE anyway.
Real life story - friend's DS went into GEP after some prep course. The boy is smart, but not \"that\" smart. Apparently there is very little PSLE drilling for the GEP students, but lots of project work. (not sure how true these claims are, but this was what my friend told me. But that make sense to me- the real smart kids should not need the drilling. ). He did not qualify for IP/IB with his PSLE results eventually. My friend was devastated.
( but actually that's also not the end of the world. Every year only about 10% of student qualify for IP/IB. Some IP/IB schools also admit student at year 3. OK that's going too off -topic already....) -
Smartiepants55\" post_id=\"2084847\" time=\"1664961080\" user_id=\"197279:
Regardless, one is entitled to be curious to and ask questions. Even if my child doesn’t qualify that’s fine because others may also stand to benefit from this question posed and also as this forum has proved its purpose, other wonderful parents have shared the answer to my question.
Qualify and pass rd 2 first then talk..
Thank you to those who took the time to answer my question. -
blessedm\" post_id=\"2084865\" time=\"1664970936\" user_id=\"113006:
Internet is like that one la.
Regardless, one is entitled to be curious to and ask questions. Even if my child doesn’t qualify that’s fine because others may also stand to benefit from this question posed and also as this forum has proved its purpose, other wonderful parents have shared the answer to my question.
Thank you to those who took the time to answer my question.
All the best for round 2. -
Being on this forum, one should embrace the spirit of kiasuism - cannot fault others for preparing more (one la)
The stereotypical comments is a little uncalled for. IMO.
We are living in a highly connected globalized world. Competition comes at every stage, every angle.
Lastly, I applaud your kind help to provide some alternative assistance.garrybor\" post_id=\"2084862\" time=\"1664969198\" user_id=\"40380:
It will never be an even playing field. The best that you can do is to level it out somehow.
You are right that GEP kids who face difficulties in the GEP are those who crammed for it. Many of them are migrant Chinese or locals sold into marketing by some big centers. You have to understand that their culture, and aspirations compel them to go to extreme lengths to secure a 'top school' for their kids. The locals are just there naively, waiting for their places to be eaten up. -
The comments were not intended to be negative.
I am not sure how you misconstrued them to be negative, not nice of you to go personal on me either
skii\" post_id=\"2084876\" time=\"1664976126\" user_id=\"82603:
Being on this forum, one should embrace the spirit of kiasuism - cannot fault others for preparing more (one la)
The stereotypical comments is a little uncalled for. IMO.
We are living in a highly connected globalized world. Competition comes at every stage, every angle.
Lastly, I applaud your kind help to provide some alternative assistance. -
garrybor\" post_id=\"2084862\" time=\"1664969198\" user_id=\"40380:
Here's my personal opinion.
Kids of wealthier parents will always have more resources, be it more classes or even just more books at home.
It will never be an even playing field. The best that you can do is to level it out somehow.
You are right that GEP kids who face difficulties in the GEP are those who crammed for it. Many of them are migrant Chinese or locals sold into marketing by some big centers. You have to understand that their culture, and aspirations compel them to go to extreme lengths to secure a 'top school' for their kids. The locals are just there naively, waiting for their places to be eaten up.
The vast majority of GEP kids, however, do not face issues with their school work. I always find it funny that there are classes for GEP kids to do their 'Sandwich ERP' or CA1 etc.
Now, for a child who is at the borderline level, I would say that the privilege and advantages of getting into the GEP greatly outweigh the negative (cannot catch up, adjustment issues etc). Very often, it may not be that a child is not talented, but that he/she simply hasn't awaken or met a mentor yet. Let me use a sports analogy. Say that someone is really talented at sports, swimming, etc, and has the perfect body shape, etc etc. Will he win an Olympic Gold medal out of raw talent, with zero training? Obviously no right?
So the idea that one can try for the GEP with zero preparation is naive. Your child may be able to solve the question out of raw talent, but the other kids have seen the question many times before! Your child will be stunned for a while and that's it - out of time.
I don't think parents here are really upset about not getting into round 2, etc. After all, 90% of those who got in Round 2 will be rejected! If you don't get in, it will still be a great learning experience?
One is bound to fail at some points in life. The question is if you can bounce back from failures and if you even put in effort in the first place.
1) All Singaporeans Chinese living In Singapore originated from migrants from China. Perhaps most are just 3rd or 4th generation
2) You are making a baseless assumption that anyone with money will be able to groom their kids into GEP program.
No offence, but you sounded too much like sour grapes here. Whether one's child succeeds or fails, that is no business of others, so please dont try to sell yourself like you are the expert in parenting here. -
1) Singaporeans see themselves as Singaporeans, not 3/4th generation migrants from China. I cannot understand how this even comes into the discussion.
Migrant (students) have a hardworking attitude that locals lack. Locals tend to be more chill, and are not that driven anymore.
2) Perhaps you can read the very first post of this entire thread. Or maybe take a look at https://www.moe.gov.sg/news/parliamentary-replies/20220309-profile-of-students-in-the-gifted-education-programme
Either way, it is common sense that families with more resources can groom their kids better. Nowhere in my post did I say that rich families will surely get in. (But they have an advantage of course)
3)You are making some pretty illogical arguments for your last point. Your condescending tone and sudden personal attacks sound like you need somebody to talk to.
Can I suggest you take a look at https://familyassist.msf.gov.sg/?Veyron\" post_id=\"2084892\" time=\"1664981785\" user_id=\"30663:
1) All Singaporeans Chinese living In Singapore originated from migrants from China. Perhaps most are just 3rd or 4th generation
2) You are making a baseless assumption that anyone with money will be able to groom their kids into GEP program.
No offence, but you sounded too much like sour grapes here. Whether one's child succeeds or fails, that is no business of others, so please dont try to sell yourself like you are the expert in parenting here. -
garrybor\" post_id=\"2084900\" time=\"1665007464\" user_id=\"40380:
I am just here to remind you that majority of Chinese Singapore are just 3rd and 4th generation migrants from China, hence please don't speak of new Chinese migrants as aliens.
1) Singaporeans see themselves as Singaporeans, not 3/4th generation migrants from China. I cannot understand how this even comes into the discussion.
Migrant (students) have a hardworking attitude that locals lack. Locals tend to be more chill, and are not that driven anymore.
2) Perhaps you can read the very first post of this entire thread. Or maybe take a look at https://www.moe.gov.sg/news/parliamentary-replies/20220309-profile-of-students-in-the-gifted-education-programme
Either way, it is common sense that families with more resources can groom their kids better. Nowhere in my post did I say that rich families will surely get in. (But they have an advantage of course)
3)You are making some pretty illogical arguments for your last point. Your condescending tone and sudden personal attacks sound like you need somebody to talk to.
Can I suggest you take a look at https://familyassist.msf.gov.sg/?
Based on what you said, you are making the assumption that
a) Majority of GEP kids are 2nd generation Chinese from China
b) Majority of GEP kids came from well to do family
c) With money kids can be gifted
To my knowledge, GEP students are a good mix, which included students of other races, and social backgrounds
At RI and RGS (which has got one of the highest concentration of GEPers) most student doesn't come from wealthy families as you claimed.
There is a big difference between grooming kids to be better and grooming kids to be GEPers. If what you said is true, then the majority of GEPers in Singapore should come from millionaire and billionaire families because they have unlimited resources to groom.
The greatest misconception about GEP is that naturally gifted students don't need lessons or training. It's like a GEPer should naturally know how to fly a plane because they are gifted.
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